Apparatus for feeding forward strip or like material particularly for tensioning bale and other ties



Jan. 22, 1935.

G. J. ABBOTT APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FORWARD STRIP OR LIKE MATERIALPARTICULARLY FOR TENSIONING BALE AND OTHER TIES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJan. 19, 1934 Jan. 22, 1935. G. J. ABBOTT 1,988,534

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FORWARD STRIP OR LIKE MATERIAL PARTICULARLY FORTENSIONING BALE AND OTHER TIES Filed Jan. 19, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Jan. 22, 1935 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FORWARD STRIP OR LIKEMATERIAL PARTICULARLY FOR TENSIONING BALE AND OTHER TIES Geoffrey JosephAgbbott, Clapham, London,

and

Application January 19, 1934, Serial No. 101,364

In Great Britain January 26, 1933 16 Claims.

This invention relates to means for tensioning strip material such as abinding strap, wire or the like, and is particularly applicable toapparatus for tensioning a metalstrap such as is employed for bindingbarrels, bales, crates and the like bodies.

The means according to the present invention for tensioning a bindingstrap, wire or the like about a body comprises a support, a pair ofgripping members adapted to grip the strap between them, mounted in saidsupport so as to be movable independently of one another, and so thatwhen one of the gripping members is moved in one direction, the grippingsurfaces of the two members are brought into contact and the othergripping member is moved by and with the first.

The invention further comprises means for tensioning a binding strap,wire or the like about a body comprising a support, a pair of grippingmembers adapted to grip the strap between them, one of said grippingmembers being mounted to rotate about a fixed axis on said support whilethe other gripping member is mounted to rotate about an axis which isitself movable on the support, the arrangement being such that when theaxis of rotation of the last mentioned gripping member is moved in onedirection, the gripping surfaces of the two members are brought intocontact and the first mentioned gripping member is moved by and with thesecond.

The tensioning means may be combined with a one-way gripping deviceadapted to allow the strap to freely pass through it in the direction offeed for tensioning but to hold the strap against movement in thereverse direction, and with an anchorage device for holding one end ofthe strap while the other end is propelled or drawn toward it by thetensioning device.

There is further provided according to the present invention means for.locking the tensioning device and the one-way gripping device in theinoperative, open positions, by the movement of a single lever, tofacilitate engagement and disengagement of the strap with and from theapparatus.

Theinvention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete tool withthe strap to be tensioned passed through it,

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are views in side elevation similar to Fig. 1 but withcertain parts unessential to an understanding of the present inventionomitted and with the moving parts comprised in the present inventionshown in various positions which they occupy at different stages in theoperation of tensioning the strap.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the tool, with the means for joining the endsof the strap omitted.

Fig. 6 is a. sectional side elevation on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 and Fig.7 is an end elevation looking from the right of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings the support comprises a baseplate 1,preferablya casting, provided with upwardly extending parallel brackets arrangedin pairs 2, 2 and 3, 3 at the ends of the baseplate. The brackets 2, 2support the parts of the one way gripping device and the tensioningdevice and the brackets 3, 3 support the parts of the anchorage devicefor one end of the strap.

The one way gripping device comprises the following. In bearingapertures in the brackets 2, 2 is mounted a rotatable spindle 5. On theouter side of one of the brackets 2 is fixedly mounted a plate '7 havingan outward projection 8 at its lower end which lies in substantially thesame plane as the baseplate 1. The upper surface of this projection 8 ispreferably serrated. The end of spindle 5 passes freely through plate 7and on its outer end is fixedly mounted a pawl or cam 9 (Figs. 1-4) thelength of which is selected so that its extremity, preferably serrated,can engage but cannot pass projection 8 on plate '7 when spindle 5 ismoved in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 1. The spindle 5 is heldagainst longitudinal movements in its hearings on the one hand by cam 9fast on one end and on the other hand by a collar 10 fast on the otherend. The spindle 5 at a. point between the brackets 2, 2 bears a fixedlymounted collar 11 having a tangentially arranged projection 12 (Fig. 6)and bearing a pin 13 which serves as an anchorage for one end of aspring 14 surrounding the spindle and the other'end of which abutsagainst the baseplate 1 as shown at 15 in Fig. 6. The spring tends tomaintain the end of cam 9 in engagement with projection-8 on fixed plate7.

The means for tensioning the strap is as follows. In an aperture in oneof the brackets 2 is rotatably mounted a bush 22 and a plate16 connectedrigidly with this bush lies against the outer surface of one of thebrackets 2. The plate 16 has at its lower end an outward projection 17which when plate 16 is vertical, lies substantially in the plane of thebaseplate. This projection 1'7 is formed with an arcuate and serratedupper surface'and forms one of the gripping members of the tensioningdevice. A spindle 4 arranged parallel to spindle 5, extends freelythrough the ner surface of which is stepped as indicated at in Fig. 6 insuch a manner that the plate 16.

21, the step engaging with an edge of plate 18 in such a manner that aslight angular movement is permitted to pawl 20 about the stud 19 onplate 18. This pawl 20 forms the other gripping member of the tensioningdevice. The pawl 20 is retained on the stud by a washer 28 and. screw29. The length of the pawl 20 is such that when.

spindle 4 is rotated in aclockwise direction in Fig. 1 the lower end ofthe pawl movesflrst alone about the axis of spindle 4 until its endcontacts with projection 17 or a strap resting thereon and thereafterthe pawland projection rock together about the axis of spindle 4. Themovement of plate 16 carrying projection 17 is lim-' ited in onedirection by a stop pin 23 and in the other direction by aprojection 24on the baseplate 1. A spiral spring 25 surrounds the bush 22, one of itsends engaging a pin 26 on the bush and the other the baseplate 1 asclearly. shown carrying the projection is normally held in the positionshown in Fig. 1 in contact with pin 23. A handle 27 is provided fast onthe shaft 4 and on this handle at a point near the spindle 4 is formed alug 30 which engages beneath the tangential projection 12 on spindle 5so that when handle 27 is raised into the position shown in Fig. l torock pawl 20 and projection 17 in a counterclockwise direction, spindle5 and pawl 9 are also rocked but in a clockwise direction and againstspring 14 to disengage cam 9 from projection 18.

Fast on the spindle 4 there is provided a handle- 27, whereby thespindle 4 may be rotated in its bearings 2, 2. On the handle 27, andnear the spindle 4, is formed a lug 30, so positioned that when thehandle 27 is raised from the horizontal toward the position showninFigure 1, the lug 30 strikes the underside of the tangentialprojection 12 on the spindle 5. Consequently, when the handle 27 ismoved a given distance counterclockwise, the upper gripping-member 20'ofthe tensioning device is rotated counterclockwise into the raisedposition shown in Figure 1, and, through the action of lug 30 onprojection 12, the

spindle 5 is rotated'clockwlse against the action of spring 14, and thecam 9 is moved away from g the projection. 8.

On the underside of projection 12 is a shallow recess 31. As the handle27 is rotated further counterclockwise, the lug 30 slides along theunderside of projection-12, until, on the handle 27 reaching theposition shown in Figure 6, the lug 30snaps into the recess 31', thespindle 5 and projection 12 rotating slightly counterclockwise so shapedthat, if pressure is sharply applied to handle 27, .to move itclockwise, the lug 30 will push the projection 12 upward or clockwise,

against the action of'the spring 14, so that the lug 30 is released fromthe recess 31, and as the arm 27 is moved fm'ther clockwise, the partsassume the positions indicated in Figure 2.

. The anchorage device for anchoring one end of the strap to betensioned is provided at the end of the tool where are situated the lugs3.

On the outer surface of one of the lugs .3 is fixedly mounted a plate 32having at its lower end an outward projection 33 lying in substantiallythe plane of the baseplate and having a serrated upper surface. Throughthe lugs 3 and the plate 32 extendsa rotatable spindle 8, one end ofwhich is bent up to form a handle 34 while the other end carries afixedly mounted pawl or cam 35 having a serrated lower end. The lengthof cam 35 is such that when spindle 8 is rotated in a clockwisedirectionin the drawings, the cam engages the projection 33 or a stripresting thereon with a clamping action, but is unable to pass theprojection. The upper rear portion of the cam 35 is cut away or recessedas shown at 36 in Fig. 5'. Movement of the cam 35 in acounterclockwisedirection is limited by engagement with the end of a bar37 extending across the baseplate 1; being fixed on a shoulder 38thereon (Fig. 6).

The parts indicated generally by 40 in Fig. 1 represent a-device of anyconvenient form for severing the fed end of the strap and joining thetwo ends together.

Use of the tool takes place in the following manner. The strap 41 to betensioned is looped around the bale or case, part of the surface ofwhich is indicated by A.

Handles 34 and 27 are moved into the positions shown in Fig. 1 todisengage cam 35 from projection 33 of the anchorage device, pawl 20from projection 17 of the tensioning device and cam 9 from theprojection 8 of the one way gripping device.

One end 42 of the strap is passed between projection 33 and cam 35 andthe handle 34 moved into the position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 wherebycam 35is rocked to clamp end 42 fixedly in position. The other end 43 ofthe strap is now passed between projection 8 and cam 9 of the oneway'gripping device and the pawl 20 and projection 17 of the tensioningdevice and over the end of bar 37 and over cam 35 to lie in the cutaway36. Next the handle 27 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 4 withthe result that the lug 30 on the handle 27 is disengaged from thetangential projection 12 on spindle 5 and the spindle and pawl 9permitted to rock under the urge of spring 14 in a counterclockwisedirection to clamp the strap between pawl 9 and projection 8. It willreadily be seen that movement of the strap end 43 to the left betweenpawl 9 and projection 8 will be permitted by pawl 9 rocking slightlyagainst spring 14 but that any movement of end 43 to the right would beprevented by the jamming of pawl 9.

It now movement of the handle 27 downwards is continued, spindle 4 isrocked clockwise inits bearing in one bracket 2 and bush 22 to move pawl20 into the position shown in Fig. 2 where it engages the surface of thestrap resting on projection 17. Thereafter, further downward movement ofhandle 27 into the position shown in Fig. 3 causes the pawl 20 andprojection 17 to move in unison about the axis of spindle 4 and the end43 of the strap gripped between them is drawn or propelled to the left,the pawl 9 of the one way gripping device being rocked slightly as aresult of the pull on the strap, to permit the movement of the strap. Ifnow the lever 27 is raised to the position shown in Fig. 4, that is tosay to an extent which is insuflicient to rock one way rocking pawl 9,the pawl 20 is returned by the rotation of spindle 4 to the positionshown in that figure and the projection 17 is returned by the spring 25,the strap end 43 being in the meantime released from the tensioningdevice 20, 17 but maintained under tension by the one way grippingdevice 9, 8. A further depression of lever 27 results in a further feedmovement being imparted to strap end 43 and it will readily be seen thatby repeatedly rocking lever 27 the strap will be bound tightly aroundthe bale.

When the downward (clockwise) movement of lever 27 is terminated by theedge of plate. 16 striking a stop 24 (Figure 4) on the baseplate and thelever is raised to prepare for a new ten? sioning stroke, the stud 19rotates, or is at least free to rotate to a very small extent relativelyto the pawl 20, the toe of which may be in jammed engagement with themetal strap, and this relative movement between pawl and stud helps tofree the toe of the pawl. If this relative movement is of sufilcientextent, the step 21 of the pawl comes into engagement with the undersideof plate 18 (at the left hand side of the stud 19 in Figure 2) and thepawl is then positively moved counterclockwise out of engagement withthe strap.

The one way gripping device 9, 8 the tensioning device 20, 17 and theanchorage device 35, 33 being all arranged at the side of the toolatfords the advantage that the strap may be inserted in the tool in adirection at right angles to the length.

The strap tensioning operation having been completed, device 40 isrocked by handle 34 about spindle 4 and the end 43 severed, for examplebetween a cutting edge 50 and the edge of bar 37 and thereafter the ends42 and 43 joined in any convenient known manner as by the operation oftongue and slot forming dies forming part of mechanism 40 and operatedby handle 51.

I claim:

1. Means for moving forward a strip of material comprising a one waygripping device, and a feeding device including a rotatable spindle, aprojection carried freely on said spindle so as to be capable of rockingmovement of limited extent, an eccentric on said spindle and a pawlmounted on said eccentric and means for rotating said spindle in onedirection to grip the strip between the pawl and projection and to movethe pawl, projection and strip bodily to effect the feed and in theother direction to free the strip from the pawl and projection.

2. Means for moving forward a strip oi. material comprising a one waygripping device, and a feeding device including a rotatable spindle, aprojection carried freely on said spindle so as to be capable of rockingmovement of limited extent, an eccentric on said spindle, a pawl mountedfor rocking movements of limited extent on the eccentric and means forrotating said spindle in one direction to grip the strip between thepawl and projection and to move the pawl, projection and strip bodily toeffect the feed and in the other direction to free the strip from thepawl and projection.

3. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body, comprising asupport, a pair of gripping members adapted to grip between them thestrip to be tensioned, and mounted in said support so as to be eachmovable independently of the other within certain limits, and so mountedthat when one of said gripping members is moved in one direction, thegripping surfaces, of the two gripping members are brought into. contactand thereafter the other gripping member is moved by and with the first.1

4. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body as claimed inclaim 3, in which one of the gripping members is rotatably mounted.

5. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body as claimed inclaim 3, in which the two gripping members are rotatably mounted.

6. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body as claimed inclaim 3, in which the two, gripping members areso mounted that whenone'gripping member is being moved by and with the other grippingmember, they both rotate about the same axis.

7. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body as claimed inclaim 3, in which the two gripping members are so mounted that when onegripping member is being moved by and with the other gripping memberboth members rotate about a common axis above the point wherethegripping members make gripping contact.

8. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body, comprising asupport, a gripping member mounted to rotate about a fixed axis on saidsupport, a second gripping member, mounted into contact and thereafterthe first gripping I member is moved by and with the second.

9. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body as claimed inclaim 3 and including a one-way gripping device adapted to allow a stripto pass freely through it in the direction of feed by the tensioningmeans and to hold the strip against movement in the reverse direction.

10. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body as claimed inclaim 3 and including an anchorage device adapted to hold one end of thestrip while the other end is moved toward it by the tensioning means.

11. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body as claimed inclaim 3 and including a one-way gripping device adapted to allow a stripto pass freely through it in the direction of feed by the tensioningmeans and to hold the strip against movement in the reverse direction,and an anchorage device adapted to hold one end of the strip while theother end is moved toward it by the tensioning means.

12. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body comprising asupport, a plate pivoted on said support, a projection on said plate, apawl adapted to cooperate with the projection to grip and tension thestrip, a rotatable member, said pawl being carried on a pivot mounted onthe rotatable member, and means for rotating said member and causing thepivot of said pawl to move through an arcuate path to bring the pawlinto contact with the projection on the pivoted plate and thereaftermove the plate and projection by and with the pawl.

13. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body comprising asupport, a plate pivoted on said support, a projection on said plate, apawl adapted to cooperate with the projection to grip and -move thestrip, a rotatable member, said pawl being carried on a pivot mounted onthe rotatable member, means for rotating said member and causing thepivot 01' said pawl to move bearings in said support carrying saidshafts so that they lie parallel to one another and transversely ot thesupport, a pair of gripping members mounted on one of said shafts so asto be mov-. able each independently of the other within certain limitsand cooperating to'torm the strip ten-' sioning device, an arm or cammounted on another of said shafts and cooperating with a iixed partofthe support to form a one-way gripping device for'the strip and anarmvmounted-on the third shaft and cooperating with a fixed part of thesupport to form anchoring means for one end of the strip.

15. Means for tensioning a strip 01' material about a body comprising apair of cooperating gripping members adapted to grip the strip andtension it and a one-way gripping device adapted to allow a strip topass freely through it in the directionin which the strip is drawn to betensioned and to hold the strip against movement in the reversedirection, a lever and means operable by said lever for locking thecooperating gripping members and the one-way gripping device 'in theinoperative open position so as to facilitate engagement of the stripwith and its disengagement from the apparatus.

18. Means for tensioning a strip of material about a body, comprisinga'support, a pair of -one of the gripping members into and out orengagement with the other gripping member and means to open the one-waygripping device upon an extended movement of the lever in the reversedirection to that for effecting the tensioning movement 01 the grippingmembers.

GEOFFREY-JOSEPH ABBOTT;

